Ceremony information for graduands and guests

On this page

• Before the ceremony
• During the ceremony
• After the ceremony

Before the ceremony

Special requirements

Special requirements such as accessibility needs for graduands and up to three guests can be made when you apply to graduate. You can add requirements to your application up to 30 days before the ceremony.

Academic dress

You must be in the correct academic dress for your ceremony. You can book your academic dress when you apply to graduate. Check the information about collecting your academic dress on graduation day.

Photographs

Graduation ceremony services are available at most ceremonies. Professional photographers will be available to take family and individual photos from the start of gowning and immediately after the ceremony.

Attend as early as possible to avoid queues and delays.

Guests and extra tickets

You are allowed to bring up to three guests to your ceremony. Please ensure you don't invite more than three guests unless you already have extra tickets. These usually aren't available but if they are, we will email you about six weeks before the ceremony. If you don't receive an email, there will be no extra tickets.

Parking

Undergraduate, postgraduate and masters graduands

You must be gowned and registered for a seat number at least one hour before the ceremony starts. You must be in your seat 30 minutes before the ceremony starts for a short rehearsal.

PhD or higher doctorate graduands

You will take part in the formal academic procession and sit on-stage with the academics and dignitaries during the ceremony. After gowning, you need to be at the assembly point 30 minutes before the ceremony.

During the ceremony

Guests must be in their seats 15 minutes before the ceremony starts. If children or babies become restless during the ceremony, please take them outside to the foyer until they have settled. The ceremony runs for about 90 minutes.

Video recordings and photographs

Guests may take photos during the ceremony but must remain in their seats. Graduands and guests should note that the ceremony is recorded on video and on stage photographs are taken.

Conduct of the ceremony

Once graduands and guests are seated, the academic procession enters the venue. All graduands and guests are asked to stand.

The procession will enter in the following order:

1. faculty managers
2. PhD and doctorate graduands
3. members of staff
4. members of council
5. course directors/head of school/deans
6. honoured guests
7. Vice-Chancellor and President
8. Esquire Bedel (bearer of the mace)
9. Chancellor.

The proceedings are as follows:

• the members of the procession walk on-stage and take their seats
• the Chancellor delivers an address of welcome
• the Vice-Chancellor and President deliver an address
• degrees are conferred and certificates are awarded
• PhD or doctorate graduands are presented with a summary of their thesis citation
• the honoured guest makes a graduation address
• the Chancellor closes the ceremony and invites everyone to refreshments.
• the procession, followed by the new graduates, exits the venue.

After the ceremony

Refreshments

Graduates and their families can meet outside the venue and proceed to refreshments.

Return your academic dress

Check the information about how to return your academic dress on graduation day